Advertisement
Published: April 26th 2016
Edit Blog Post
Visits to Tauranga, Auckland and Bay of Islands
Tauranga, Auckland and Bay of Islands Blog
TAURANGA - 25th February We berthed at the Port of Tauranga in Mount Mauganui, with a shuttle bus into the city of Tauranga. Tauranga has become one of the fastest growing cities in New Zealand and roughly translated from Maori means "sheltered anchorage". It is the largest city in the Bay of Plenty and a gateway for cruise ship passengers to explore places such as Rotorua (Rotavegas to Kiwis). With its hot springs and geysers it is a magnet for visitors. We walked from the centre of Tauranga up to the Mission Cemetery passing the Cargo Shed Creative Arts Centre. This centre is in a converted railway building with stall holders selling Maori carvings and paintings, glass and jewellery. The cemetery is the burial site of British soldiers and Maori warriors killed in the Land Wars of the 1860s. Then it was past the Elms Mission House established by the Church Missionary Society back towards town with a look at the Te Awanui Waka, a Maori war canoe carved from totara wood and still used on ceremonial occasions. Lunch
with local beer was very welcome before heading back on the shuttle.Mount Maunganui is popular with tourists and there are paths of various gradients to take you to the top (or not), we opted to walk to the base and the back to the ship. A delightful little seaside town.
AUCKLAND - 26th February Early arrival with quite a large turnaround of passengers today. We were meeting friends (Hi John and Heather) who were going to give us a tour around their home city. Auckland is New Zealand's largest metropolis, with a wealth of attractions. Our previous visit took us to farming country so it was great to see the city from a residents viewpoint. Auckland is almost surrounded by water and volcanic hills and the gulf is dotted with islands, it's favourite pastime is sailing earning the nickname "City of Sails". The volcanic cone of Rangitoto sits at the entrance as you approach the Inner Harbour with the city skyline linked by the harbour bridge to Devonport. It was great to be driven around the city, visiting the Savage Memorial for a panoramic view over the city, Devonport and the dormant surrounding volcanoes. Across in Devonport
across the harbour bridge with it's clip on roads (I think it's nickname is the Nippon Clippon) we looked across the city from Mount Victoria. Then it was a pleasant drive up to the Riverhead restaurant for lunch with a nice cold beer. After lunch was back to the city for a cups before heading back to the ship. A fleeting visit, but with plans to return for a few weeks in 2017 - watch this space!!!!
BAY OF ISLANDS - 27th February This was a tender port, so small transfer boats to get ashore. After leaving Auckland in glorious sunshine as predicted the weather had "turned to custard" (a local saying). It was pretty dreary when we landed with a threat of rain. The Bay of islands is a Maritime Park with 144 islands, secluded bays and superb marine life, you can cruise to Cape Brett, visit the Treaty House or pop across to Russell for lunch.We were here two years ago and went on the Maori war canoe, so we watched the brave souls being put through their paces before setting off up river into the mist. This is where the Treaty of Waitangi was
signed on 6 February 1840, and the grounds are close to the pier. However when we were here last, they were free to walk round, not anymore a charge was being made and the grounds are now fenced. So a shuttle into Paihia for a coffee, little else to see as it is a starting point for cruises and sight seeing trips. The weather was so dismal that we couldn't even see the ship at anchorage in the bay. On the walk back, the rain set in and we were like drowned rats buy the time we got back on ship.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.077s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 8; qc: 23; dbt: 0.0243s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1mb